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Archeologists discover the "Arnold Schwarzenegger"
of duck-billed dinosaurs

W
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aleontologists in Utah recently made a discovery they could really sink their teeth into—a new duck—billed dinosaur species with more than 800 chompers! "This duck—billed dinosaur had probably the strongest jaws and beak of any duck—billed dinosaur," paleontologist Terry Gates told Weekly Reader. The Gryposaurus monumentensis likely had about 300 teeth in its mouth, and about 500 extra teeth stored in its jawbone, scientists say.

The dinosaur was likely a herbivore. Paleontologists suspect it used its pearly whites to chow down on thick trees and plants. "Plants can be very, very tough and you would need really strong jaws if you were eating a wide variety of plants or plants that are not typically eaten, such as branches," Gates says. He and other archeologists will study the composition of the Gryposaurus monumentensis's teeth to figure out its exact diet.

The dinosaur's mouth wasn't its only super-sized feature. The fossils show that the 30–foot–long Gryposaurus monumentensis had unusually thick bones. "The entire skeleton is really robust," Gates says. "It's just really strong and beefed up." The dinosaur was so big—boned, in fact, that some paleontologists have compared it to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has large muscles from his days as a professional bodybuilder. (Scientists have yet to determine if the duck—billed dinosaur had an Austrian accent, however.) Paleontologists aren't sure why Gryposaurus monumentensis had such a big skeleton.

Think About It!
  • What might it be like to discover a new species of dinosaur?
    • Musical
  • Why might Gryposaurus monumentensis have had such a strong skeleton?
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    They think that the dinosaur lived about 75 million years ago. (That was about 10 million years before Tyrannosaurus rex roamed the Earth.) They hope that its discovery may help archeologists learn more about how duck—billed dinosaurs evolved "It might help us figure out family relationships," among other duck—billed dinosaurs, Gates says.

    The fossils may also help solve a dinosaur mystery. Scientists found fossils of a Kritosaurus in New Mexico in the early 1900s. The skeleton was missing part of the dinosaur's face, so paleontologists have had a hard time learning much about it. Gates says the Gryposaurus monumentensis and Kritosaurus's skulls look alike. "It seems like this mystery dinosaur down south may in fact be a relative of Gryposaurus," he guesses.

    Scientists will keep digging for answers to that and other questions as they study the skeleton. In the mean time, Gates and other scientists are on the lookout for more fossils where they found the Gryposaurus monumentensis.

    • Explore this interactive web site to learn more about dinosaurs that lived in North America-including which ones lived in your state.

    • Check out cool dinosaur facts at the American Museum of Natural History Web site.
    Dino Show off your new dinosaur knowledge by finding 10 words from "Dino-Bite Discovery" in this word search.


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